Although families of the hunger strikers, several human rights organisations, lawyers and doctors have appealed to the state to respond positively to the demands of the strikers, the state has delivered no response as yet to them.
Kenan Kara, a member of the Association of Solidarity for Prisoners’ Families (TUHAY-DER) and Anargül Albak, whose husband is one of the hunger strikers in a prison in Van (Wan), spoke to MA about the strikes.
“We are not even able to meet with the strikers: it is our right but we cannot speak to them”, Kara stated, adding: “Everyone should know that the resistance in prisons cannot be stopped. I think the state is also aware of that. Even a little phone call became possible with our leader (Abdullah Ocalan). We see that it is possible to meet with our leader. The hunger strikes can end after that”.
Anargül Albak, whose husband Cevdet has been imprisoned in Van High Security Prison for three years, said: “We demand support from the families. Not only the families but all Kurdish people should support the hunger strikers. The isolation should be ended”.